BALI News

Supervisor and Manager level ROLO courses now available for landbased workers

Register of Land-based Operations

As Chief Executive Wayne Grills explained on page 6, we are pleased to have launched two new training courses at Supervisor and Manager level, to join our popular Register of Landbased Operations (ROLO) Operative level course.

The two new courses are an essential gateway for industry Supervisors and Managers to apply for their LISS/CSCS cards with the required level of health, safety and environmental awareness training under their belts.

The Supervisor and Manager courses have been introduced as a direct request from industry professionals and are set to complement our well-regarded ROLO Operative level course. Since ROLO’s relaunch in 2012, the Association has seen over 36,000 Operatives go through ROLO training and over 20,000 gain their LISS/CSCS cards*.

Both the Supervisor and Manager courses are made up of two parts and have a blended learning approach that starts with an online e-learning course, before moving onto a tutor-led course. The Supervisor course takes two days to complete, while the Manager course requires three. To gain the most from the course and pass its final test, learners are expected to engage with all the activities and assessments.

On successful completion and passing of all aspects of the course, learners will receive a ROLO Supervisor or Manager accredited certificate which is valid for five years, after which the appropriate refresher course can be undertaken. These courses will also support Supervisors and Managers in applying for the appropriate LISS/CSCS cards. Refresher courses will be available for those renewing their ROLO certificate and for those looking to renew their CITB SSSTS or SMSTS courses for their Land-based sector position.

Wayne Grills, Chief Executive of the British Association of Landscape Industries, said: “Over the years our provider network has been delivering ROLO training to the industry, we have seen standards across sites consistently improving. In response to the increasing call for higher level courses from businesses who are seeing how useful ROLO training is, we have developed these two brand new courses to continue our legacy of improving standards.”

Steve Potter, Accredited Training Provider, Wisteria Landscapes added: “As an already experienced ROLO Operative level course provider I see the introduction of the ROLO Supervisors and Managers courses as an incredibly positive move in creating a safer working environment. The courses are Landscape Industry specific, which in itself is pioneering as we are the only sector that has specific Health, Safety and Environmental training. The courses pave the way for behavioural safety, as it is the Supervisors and Managers that need to set the standards and lead the way for Operatives to follow. The British Association of Landscape Industries has been proactive by producing these courses for the Industry, showing their commitment to maintaining a positive safety culture in the Industry”. For more information and to find a training course, please visit

bali.org.uk/ROLO

Midlands regional members enjoying a Belvoir Castle tour

North Thames committee organised a private tour of RHS Wisley Gardens

Regional committees enjoy action-packed summer

Over the summer our Regional Committees have had the pleasure of finally meeting in-person and attending a host of live events. We have also maintained our online meetings and virtual events which have flourished in popularity throughout the pandemic and look forward to delivering more in the coming months. Visit page 50 to view up and coming events.

Private tour of RHS Wisley Gardens

Our North Thames committee organised a private tour of RHS Wisley Gardens and were delighted to enjoy a private preview tour of RHS Hilltop, the UK’s first dedicated horticultural centre of excellence.

Members were greeted by Mark Gregory from Landform Consultants and Mark Pottage, Curator of RHS Wisley, who took them on a walking tour up to the Hilltop building and gardens. Ann-Marie Powell and Matthew Keightley, both designers, joined the group to discuss their involvement in the project and how it came about, including a Q&A session. Members and Association staff were then given a tour of the new horticultural science research laboratories, the wellbeing garden, wildlife garden and the world food garden. Networking with much missed colleagues and friends, along with some fantastic hot food outdoors in the World Food Garden made for an enjoyable long- awaited reunion.

Midlands region enjoy Belvoir Castle tour

The Midlands region also met in person for a private tour of Belvoir Castle’s grounds with their Head Gardener sharing his valuable insight into maintaining the Estate Gardens during the pandemic. Members then caught up and discussed the issues and topics impacting the industry over afternoon tea in the castle.

Yorkshire & North East look ahead to specimen tree event

As a direct response to requests from members, the committee are looking forward to hosting the ‘Choose it. Move it. Plant it.’ event this September, where they will be demonstrating the selection, handling and planting of large specimen trees. Find out how to attend the event on page 50.

More to come

We have many more exciting events to come, both in person and online and hope to see as many members as possible engaging with their local committees and joining us for training, tours, talks, and networking in their region soon.

If you would like more information on how to get involved in your region then please do not hesitate to contact Regional Support Officer Laura Doyle on laura.doyle@bali.org.uk

ASSOCIATION WELCOMES MEMBERS TO 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Chief Executive, Wayne Grills National Chairman, Richard Kay Honorary Treasurer, Richard Stone

On Tuesday 7th September 2021 the British Association of Landscape Industries hosted its National Annual General Meeting (AGM) online following the success of the virtual AGM last year.

Members were invited to join Executive Board Directors, including National Chairman Richard Kay, Honorary Treasurer Richard Stone and Chief Executive Wayne Grills for the formal meeting, which was followed by two informative and educational presentations delivered by guest speakers Richard McKenna, Managing Director of Provender Nurseries, and Dr. David Kelly Assistant Professor in Architectural Engineering.

Twenty-five members attended live on the day and utilised the online webinar system allowing members to virtually cast their all-important votes on crucial Association matters. Members who had sent apologies were still able to vote by proxy and their votes were received before the meeting and therefore included in the total counts.

The propositions passed and approved during the meeting included the adoption of the financial accounts for the year ending 31st March 2021, the proposal to increase membership fees; re-election of National Chairman Richard Kay and board directors Paul Downer, Matt O’Conner, Richard Stone and Nigel Bowcock and the re-appointment of Auditors Benee Consulting.

Following the formal AGM, two speakers were invited to present to members. Richard McKenna, Managing Director, Provender Nurseries tackled the extremely interesting and challenging topic: Current and future availability of planting material. His talk was followed by Dr David Kelly, Assistant Professor in Architectural Engineering covering another topical subject: Increased risk of flooding in urban areas and potential for domestic gardens to mitigate this.

Commenting on this year’s event, Wayne Grills said:

“On behalf of the board of directors we would like to thank members for joining us for our second online AGM. With us all adopting the use of digital technologies more than ever before, it made sense to host the meeting virtually, not only making it easily accessible to all members but cutting down on travel costs and time. We do however look forward to seeing members in-person soon as we continue with the outdoor events season.

Although it has been a challenging twelve months for everyone, and I am pleased that the Association continues to thrive and is flourishing going into its 50th year. I would like to thank all our members, board of directors and team at Landscape House for their continued support and commitment.”